Columbia Pictures/How Do You Know

Women already are about ten times more likely to have others treat them in a diminutive fashion. If you’re a petite woman, forget it — you’re well into a world of cheek pats and “isn’t-she-cutes.”

If you come across a woman with a particularly small frame, please do her a favor. Spare her from what she’s been forced to believe is her annoying destiny by avoiding any and all of the following comments:

1. Does your mother know you’re here, sweetheart?

No, her mother does not know of her specific whereabouts because she is over the age of 21. Thanks for checking up, though.

2. [Insert literally anything], little girl??

Not even 6-year-olds like being called “little girl,” let alone people who’ve been legally allowed to drink since the ’90s.

3. I can just stow you away in my suitcase on my honeymoon with my new wife … she’ll never even notice!

Hmm, at least being a petite woman has some practical implications! It’s so easy to cheat on your wife with them, because you can simply carry them wherever you go!

4. I’ll get the blue paint — you can be a Smurf for Halloween!

Good costume; wrong reason for suggesting it.

5. My American Girl Doll grew out of her party dress. you need something to wear to that Christmas Party, right?

First of all, why does your American Girl Doll grow? Second of all, her clothes are made for “people” who hardly move, so they probably won’t stand up to a holiday party’s worth of activity.

6. [Head pats … *shudder*]

This is perhaps the most demeaning thing anyone can do to anyone else. Whether a woman is petite or not, her blood with boil when you lay your palm on her head. Never do it.

7. That’s a big drink for such a little girl!

It’s not a big drink when she’s developed a hearty alcohol tolerance to put up with assholes who say things like this.

8. You look very … mature for your age.

(This usually just translates to: “You’re so small, but your boobs are so big!”)

9. [Skeptical look] … May I see your ID, miss?

This question is flattering to almost everyone but petite women; just so you know … unless she’s surpassed a certain age, like 40.

10. I could just eat you up!

Again, not even children like to hear this garbage.

11. Really?! I wouldn’t have put you at over fourteen!

Calling someone fourteen is never a compliment. Fourteen often marks the tail end of an awkward stage.

12. You’ve heard the term “spinner” before, right?

If you haven’t, look it up on Urban Dictionary or something. You’ll see why no woman wants to be called one.

13. We don’t need to buy you a ticket. You can just sit on my lap; save us all some money.

Why would you ever assume that your lap would be a comfortable place for someone to sit, let alone a comfortable way for you to maintain feeling in yours legs throughout whatever show/flight you’re seeing/taking?

14. Where did you learn about Nietzsche? I didn’t know they taught him in high school.

They taught philosophy in college, actually, where’s she’s received a degree so she could get her current space in grad school.

15. You look so good for your age!

Just cap it at: “You look so good.” There’s no need to qualify it with “for your age.”

16. What’s your secret for looking so young? Is it your diet?

No. It’s because she’s short. Relax.

17. Oh, whoops, let me just bring you the kids’ menu …

Why don’t you wait for the “parents” in the situation to ask for the kid, as per usual? Oh, wait, there isn’t anyone who looks like the “parents?” Then why did you ask this question in the first place?

18. You should probably wait outside of the liquor store while we pick this up.

She has an ID, I’m sure. If you’re that worried about your credibility in a liquor store, there’s another issue to address here.

19. At least it’s easy for you to fit on the subway during rush hour!

Don’t confuse this with a pleasant rush hour experience; it’s kind of worse when people don’t feel like they need to give you space.

20. You’re going to look young forever. You’re so lucky!

Think about how lucky it might feel to be told all of the above, and to look younger than all of your friends when you’re still 21 and younger.

21. Jailbait.

C’mon, unnecessary.

22. [To your significant other:] Is that your daughter?

Hopefully, no one will ever say this. But if you do, hope that neither of them are in a fighting mood.

23. You sure you don’t have a little [insert stereotypically short ethnicity here] in you?

Making assumptions about ethnicity will always go wrong. No exceptions.

The post 23 Things Petite Women Are Tired Of Hearing appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Screen Gems/Friends with Benefits

Unlike men, every woman has her own particular way of communicating, so trying to establish blanket interpretations of the female subtext is an exercise in futility. But what the hell. Let’s go for it, anyway.

Many relationship missteps men make have to do with not knowing when to take a statement or question from their significant others at face value, and when to dig around for a deeper meaning. Often, we’ll just go by the words themselves, because it usually seems easier. However, this can have disastrous long-term consequences. We’re expected to read between the lines.

A good rule of thumb is to always have a couple of platonic female friends on hand to serve as certified interpreters on the occasions when questions arise. Remember that it’s always important to supply context if you want an accurate interpretation. Context is key. Tell your friend everything you can remember about the entirety of the conversation and what you may have said (or didn’t say) that prompted the comment in question. This practice can be extremely helpful.

Now, this is not to say that men are stupid and/or women are manipulative. When it comes to straight-up exchanges of information, there’s usually very little gray area. No, it’s more about when emotions are attached — during arguments, when one (or both) of you isn’t sure where you stand, etc.
Okay, sharpen your knives, ladies, because here we go.

1. “Fine.”

via giphy

Translation: The opposite of fine. This just means that the discussion is over.

2. “Do whatever you want.”

Translation: This is a test of your judgment. I’m not going to tell you if I think it’s okay or not to do this thing. You should know enough about me by now to know if I’m okay with it. Which I’m not, by the way. If you do this, we are through.

3. “I need space.”

Translation: Get the fuck away from me. We’re probably about to break up.

4. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Translation: I’m interested, but I don’t want to waste any more energy on you if you’ve already got someone in your life. If you do, be honest right now. If you don’t, ask me for my goddamn number already.

5. “I’m almost ready.”

Translation: I’ll be ready when I’m ready. Could be 10 minutes, could be an hour. Find something else to do.

6. “You don’t have to, but …”

Translation: If you don’t you’re going to be single very soon.

7. “We need to talk.”

Translation: I need to talk. You need to listen.

8. “We’ll talk about this later.”

Translation: I’m so furious with you that I can’t think straight. I need more time to gather ammunition and/or think about what the fuck I’m still doing with you.

9. “I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”

via glee.wikia.com

Translation: You will never see me naked.

10. “It’s pretty.”

Translation: Thank you for the gift. It’s the thought that counts. But I’m going to exchange this for something I actually like.

11. “Nothing.”

Translation: Did you seriously ask me, “What’s wrong?” As if you don’t know. Everything is wrong. Everything. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

12. “Whatever.”

Translation: You have won this round, but I refuse to concede, so I’m dismissing that last point you made, and we shall never speak of this again.

13. “I forgive you.”

Translation: I’ve decided I can live with what you’ve done. But you should know that I’m going to use it against you for the rest of your life.

14. “Does this make me look fat?”

Translation: If you answer “Yes,” you’re a fucking idiot. Just tell me I look great.

15. “I’m not hungry.”

Translation: You order whatever you want, just know that I’m going to be picking off your plate, and I don’t want you to give me any shit about it.

16. “That guy is hot.”

Translation: I think you’re taking me for granted and/or you’re starting to let yourself go a little, so I’m lighting a little fire under your ass.

17. “Sense of humor is the most important thing to me.”

via giphy

Translation: But I’ll settle for that guy with the six-pack and giant dong.

18. “Let’s take it slow.”

Translation: I’ve got at least one other guy on a string right now, and I haven’t decided yet which one of you a like more.

19. “I’m sorry.”

Translation: I am empathizing with you for something shitty that you went through. This does not mean I am admitting fault in any way.

20. “I’m tired.”

Translation: I don’t want your dick anywhere near me tonight. I’ll be going to bed soon. After that, feel free to go to town on yourself. Just leave me out of it.

21. “What did you say?”

Translation: I just gave you a get-out-of-jail-free card. It’s up to you to rephrase that stupid thing you just said to avoid a huge fight.

22. “I’m really busy right now.”

Translation: I don’t want to date you. Please stop calling me.

23. “I’m not mad.”

via giphy

Translation: I’m mad.

24. “Do you think she’s pretty?”

Translation: Tell me I’m pretty. And you get bonus points if you don’t even look at her before you answer.

25. “Let’s get a dog.”

Translation: I want to have babies, but I don’t want to scare you off. However, based on your answer, I will know your level of commitment.

26. “Don’t worry about it.”

Translation: I’ve asked you five times to fix the fucking sink and you still haven’t done it? I can’t count on you for anything.

27. “Maybe.”

Translation: No.

28. “We’ll see.”

Translation: No.

29. “Yes.”

Translation: Yes. Or maybe. But probably no.

30. “No.”

Translation: This one’s not open to interpretation. Always, always, always assume that when you hear this word, she means what she’s saying, even if she doesn’t. If you get it wrong, that’s on her, not you.

The post 30 Things Women Say And What They Really Mean appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Warner Bros. Pictures/American Sniper

Military men seem pretty great at getting the ladies, and not just during Fleet Week in NYC, where hundreds of hot young Navy guys are greeted on the shores of N.Y. by some very excited single women.

“Normal” guys love to write their appeal off as “the uniform,” or the fact that they’re usually in great shape. Sorry, boys, it’s not just those things, though the uniforms and muscles do help. But there’s a reason the military men you meet, more so than other hot men in uniform (think firefighters, police officers, the UPS guy), are either in relationships, or don’t seem to have a lot of trouble meeting women.

Here’s what they’ve got to offer. At the end of the day, most of these things are qualities any guy could bring to the table, if he really tried. Military men just already seem to have it:

1. Unquestionable loyalty.

Military guys have a higher calling; they’re committed to serving their country, and their loyalty to the nation will take them to war zones, disaster areas, and anywhere they’re called to. They also forge strong bonds with one another. You’ve seen “Band of Brothers,” you’ve heard of “no man left behind.” It’s all true. They commit themselves to a purpose, and to one another, all for a greater cause.

Women love knowing that a man can be loyal. Just knowing that they are capable of devoting themselves to something else outside of themselves shows a level of unselfishness and integrity that frankly, a lot of people in general don’t seem to have.

Continue reading at VOICED.com

The post It’s Not Just The Uniform: 10 Reasons Military Guys Are Irresistible appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

CBS/The Mentalist

Successful and admired people all possess the same quality: charisma. It’s a highly prized and powerful quality of influence. In fact, dictionaries define it as “a divinely conferred gift or power.” But lest you think it’s a divine gift only available to a special few, charisma is a collection of skills that can be learned by anyone. It has nothing to do with race, gender, being an introvert or extrovert.

Here are 10 strategies for becoming a more charismatic person:

1. Talk with your hands.

People who speak with their hands are perceived as more trustworthy and appealing according to studies. One of the first areas we look at when meeting someone new is their hands. Evolutionists explain it was crucial for human survival in our “hunter-gatherer” days to make sure they were not carrying a weapon.

Using hand gestures not only puts others at ease, but also helps you communicate better. It’s called “embodied cognition,” meaning there’s a strong correlation between what your mind is trying to say, and your body movements. Hand gestures help the words come out.

2. Use their name.

It’s the sweetest sound to the ears — hearing your own name. Scientists using fMRI found that unique parts of the brain were activated when people heard their own name. Using someone’s name makes them feel significant, and the fact that you’ve actually remembered it wins respect and admiration.
When someone introduces themself, take extra care in remembering their name and then use it in the conversation.

3. Watch your posture.

Slouching is known as a “low-power pose.” It will make you feel less confident, and you’ll be perceived as reserved and unapproachable.
Changing your physical posture will change your psychology. Standing tall and taking a “high-power pose” causes your brain to release dopamine, making you feel better and be more confident.

4. Listen and ask questions.

The ancient Greeks had a saying, “We should listen twice as much as we speak because we have two ears and one mouth.” People enjoy sharing their life stories; giving someone a platform to do this by asking questions and listening instead of dominating the floor will make you the kind of person others want to be around.

5. Cut out fillers and vocalized pauses.

Vocalized pauses (“ahh,” “umm”) and fillers (“like,” “you know”) will severely cramp your communication. Charismatic people are eloquent and articulate, and that comes from ironing out your speaking skills.

Be a fly on the wall to your own conversations and note how often you use fillers and vocalized pauses. They’re often used when we’re unsure of what to say. Simply replace them with silence as you look for your next word. You’ll unclutter your speech and be a more charismatic speaker.

6. Mirroring.

Humans posses an interesting thing called “mirror-neurons.” We’re social creatures and wired for community and relationships; mirroring allows you to empathize and connect through naturally mimicking the body movements of people you engage with. It’s often unconscious — think of the last time you just crossed your arms at the same time the other person did.
Subtly mirroring the stance and body language of whoever you’re conversing with will make them more comfortable and increase rapport.

7. Compliments.

Compliments have been shown to boost people’s self-esteem by up to 34 percent. Being seen as charismatic has much to do with how you make others feel. Give someone the “warm fuzzies” next time you’re having a conversation — identify one thing that you could make a nice comment about.

8. Initiate and introduce yourself.

It’s common to see most people stand back and be hesitant at social and networking events. Charismatic people take the initiative to introduce themselves and spark a conversation. It shows confidence through being active rather than passive.

Take the first step at your next event. Set aside any fear of judgment and any self-consciousness.

9. Tell stories.

Everyone loves a good story. Charismatic people have mastered the art of telling great stories — it doesn’t take long for people to start gathering around them. One of the key elements and foundations of storytelling is to “open and close the curiosity gap.” Raise a topic that will perk the interest of others. Speak with passion, use imagery and emotions.

10. Smile.

Simple, yet highly effective. Smiling sets off the brain’s reward mechanism in the same way exercise does, or eating chocolate. And smiling is rarely un-reciprocated; it will give both you and the other person a rush of positivity. According to researchers, people who smile are perceived as trustworthy and easier to cooperate with, and of course, this will add to your charisma.

The post 10 Simple Ways To Boost Your Charisma And Confidence appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Image via Favim

Cursing is an art form. Some people are good at it, some aren’t. There are still some people out there who will tell you that using profanity demonstrates a lack of vocabulary or intelligence. Those people can suck my fat fucking balls. Some of the most creative, imaginative language I’ve ever heard has been centered on swearing. So let’s put that one to rest, okay?

“Fucking” may be the greatest, most versatile adjective of all time. The difference between “great” and “fucking great” is immeasurably vast. For example, if someone went to a concert and told me, “It was fucking awesome,” I’m like, “Shit, I wish I’d been there.” Conversely, if that same someone told me, “It was quite wonderful,” well, that paints a less-enticing picture, and I don’t really feel like I missed out on anything.

Or what about “goddammit?” By the way, as you can see, I prefer the phonetic spelling of that particular curse. You can spell it however you fucking want. There is no other phrase in the English language that makes a point like a well-placed “goddammit!” Especially when expressing displeasure. When someone shouts it out, you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that someone’s in big trouble.

Anyway, the thing about cursing, even among those who accept it, is that there’s still a widely held double standard about men vs. women using it. Even some men who drop an f-bomb every other word sometimes cringe when they hear the same kind of language from the fairer sex. Well, fuck all that. There’s nothing wrong at all with a woman who knows how to curse. In fact, there’s something very right about it, and I’ve provided you with a handy list of why that is.

But before we get into the particulars, here’s a quick caveat: Read the room. Weather you do or don’t have a dick, never swear around kids or old people. That’s really fucking tacky.

1. They tell it like it fucking is.

When people aren’t afraid to curse, you usually can assume they’re being honest, because they clearly don’t have much of a filter.

2. They don’t take any shit.

via imgur

Women who curse freely will not put up with your bullshit. Don’t believe me? Try it and see. She’ll rip you a new asshole.

3. They’re goddamn sexy.

Clearly, this is a matter of taste, but if you don’t agree, you’re wrong.

4. They don’t give a damn what any mother-fucker thinks.

Not giving a shit about the opinions of others is always an attractive quality.

5. They talk really fucking dirty during sex.

Oh yeah. You will hear some of the filthiest shit you’ve ever heard in your life. You better do it, too.

6. You don’t have to watch your own goddamn mouth.

Isn’t it refreshing to not have to censor yourself around the person with whom freedom of expression should be so important?

7. They’re really fucking funny.

This flies in the face of most of the shit on this list, but there’s something hilarious about a cute, five-foot woman with a squeaky voice cursing like a sailor. And then you’ve got Sarah Silverman. Awesome.

8. They don’t give a shit about being ladylike.

Fuck that noise. Haven’t we moved past those antiquated definitions of a lady, anyway?

9. They’re fucking passionate.

A good curse word here and there let’s people know you fucking mean it.

10. They don’t keep shit inside.

via replygif.net

You always know where you stand with a woman who’s not afraid to let loose with a profanity-heavy tirade.

11. They don’t date pussies.

Guys who blush easily need not apply.

12. They’re allowed to say “the c word,” which is funny to hear in the right context.

Dudes aren’t allowed to say this word unless they’re British. But a woman can drop it whenever she wants. Cue the spit-take.

13. They know how to tell a fucking story.

I don’t know. Without a few f-bombs, I tend to drift off.

14. They know how to have a good goddamn time.

Let’s be honest. People who curse are a lot more fun than people who don’t.

15. They’re creative as shit.

This falls under the “expression” umbrella, but there’s a definite correlation between swearing and creativity.

16. They’re strong as shit.

A woman who swears a lot is not someone you want to fuck with.

17. It shows they’re fucking confident.

via thegiflibrary.tumblr.com

Cursing projects confidence. It’s fucking true.

18. They’re generally less fucking stressed out.

Profanity releases tension. Believe it and practice it.

19. They’re not afraid of a goddamn thing.

I hate using the word “fierce,” but it applies here.

20. They’re clearly not fucking concerned with gender-specific stereotypes.

So maybe she’ll pick up the goddamn check every once in a while.

The post F*ck Yeah! 20 Reasons Men Love A Woman With A Dirty Mouth appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Image via Shutterstock

These days, most couples might not feel the pressure to get married. They’re committed to each other, live together, and don’t feel the need to get married, and that is becoming more and more socially acceptable. If you’re on the fence about marrying your partner, you might want to think twice and weigh the pros and cons. Marriage is more than a big party and a piece of paper; there are benefits you need to know about before you decide what to do in your relationship.

1. True Love

Sure, it should be obvious, but let’s just put it on the record. If you’re crazy in love with someone, getting married is a great way to solidify that commitment and show the world that you choose each other.

2. Improved Mental Health

It might sound crazy, but happily married people are more stable, mentally. There’s just something to the security of marriage, of having someone by your side for better or for worse, being your cheerleader and helping you through the ups and downs. Sure beats trying to handle that rollercoaster with no support system.

3. Filing Joint Taxes

When you’re married, you can file separately or jointly. The perk to filing jointly is that, if your spouse makes more money than you, you can file under your lower income to keep from being put into a higher tax bracket. You also get to take a larger standard deduction for being married. And, don’t forget, you only have to file taxes once instead of once for each of you.

4. Estate Tax Deductions

In addition to the annual federal and state taxes, you get other tax benefits if you’re married. When someone dies and leaves their estate, there is a hefty tax that the recipient has to pay when they receive the estate. If you’re married and leave your estate to your spouse, there’s no estate tax to pay.

5. IRA, Pension Plan, And Social Security Benefits

When it comes to IRAs, pension plans, and Social Security benefits, being married means that both spouses can accept the money whether they’re employed, have plans of their own, or not. Marriage is a combining of assets, and these benefits show that it’s really true. If you were simply in a domestic partnership and wanted to take advantage of these plans, you’d have a long legal journey ahead.

6. Health Insurance Savings

Being married means you can have a family insurance plan. You get to “shop” for insurance if both spouses are employed. Whose job offers the best insurance? Sign up for that one. Or if one spouse doesn’t work or is self-employed, they can get insurance through the other’s employer.

7. Family Leave From Work

If your spouse is battling an illness, you can take family leave from your job to stay home, or work from home, and support them. If you’re just living with your partner with no legal ties, your job won’t let you take this leave, unless they’re very understanding.

8. Visitation Rights

Whether your spouse is in the hospital or in jail, sometimes the only visitors allowed are family. It would be horrible to not be able to see your partner during such a hard time just because you’re not married.

9. Dying Without A Will

It’s an awful thought, but if your spouse dies without a will, belongings are left to family. If you’re not married, this might mean that your spouse’s estranged siblings get everything and you get nothing! Instead of fighting it out in court, being married means that the spouse is the next of kin in regards to this, and in many other legal matters.

10. Making Medical Decisions

This is another example of a spouse being next of kin, and being allowed to make major decisions. It’s important for your spouse to know what you want in case of a horrible accident and a lengthy hospital stay, or a debilitating illness. They’re the ones who get to call the shots. If you’re not married, your partner might know you don’t want to be on life support, but the decision will go to your immediate family, whether they know what you want or not.

11. Buying A Home

It seems unfair, but married couples usually have an easier time buying a house. Mortgage companies often see domestic partners as high risk for a home loan because they might break up and have to sell the house before it’s paid off. Of course, it’s true that married couples can break up as well, but they would legally have to divide assets, so it’s still a safer investment for mortgage companies.

12. Insurance Savings

Most insurance companies offer discounts for family coverage, but this goes beyond health insurance! If you and your spouse share an insurance company, you could get discounts on car insurance for having multiple vehicles, and a more affordable home insurance for being a family.

13. Spousal Privilege

Spousal privilege is a legal term that will keep you from testifying against your spouse in court, and vice versa. This applies to civil and criminal cases, and applies from the start of your marriage and goes beyond divorce or death. Hopefully you won’t need this one, but it’s always nice to know it’s there. You can tell your sweetie all your secrets without fear of incrimination.

14. Immigration/Residency Benefits

If you’re trying to become a citizen of another country, marrying a native will grant you that citizenship. Within the United States, marrying a resident of a different state and moving there to live will make you a resident of that state, too.

15. Adoption

Adoption if you’re single or unmarried isn’t impossible, of course, but it’s infinitely easier if you’re married. This applies whether you’re adopting a baby from another country or your partner’s children from a previous marriage.

These benefits are laid out so you’re informed before you make a decision to marry or just live together. Trust your feelings and know if you should marry your partner or not. None of these benefits mean anything if you’re not happy in your relationship.

The post 15 Benefits Of Getting Married You Might Not Realize appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Image via geekwithguns.tumblr.com

So you don’t support a woman’s right to choose… but you’re a woman? You must really like Sarah Palin then. Does that mean you aren’t concerned about the wage gap between men and women? How could you not support someone like Hillary Clinton? She empowers women! These are all things that conservative women hear on a regular basis. They may also hear that it would be anti-feminist if they quit their jobs to be a stay-at-home mom, and that they really shouldn’t have a gun in the house since there’s no need for it in their nice, suburban neighborhoods.

These are not ideas that all liberals hold, by any means. But in largely liberal places like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, conservatives are subjected to an array of liberal perspectives like those above. Either way, it’s remarkable how quickly liberals react with concern to conservatives as a whole, and women even more so.

People seem to be baffled by conservatives in big, diverse, East and West coast cities. It doesn’t help that many media outlets are liberal. From The Los Angeles Times to NBC News, it’s hard to escape headlines like: “State by state, abortion laws control women in the guise of protecting them.” It’s hard not to stumble upon entire sections of a news website devoted to articles that paint Republican candidates in an unflattering light.

This kind of coverage doesn’t make it easier on right-wingers; Democrats love to use sound bites from New York Times op-eds criticizing either Fox News or the latest abortion ban as ammunition to argue their points. The abundance of left-wing information online, on TV screens, and in your favorite newspaper makes it easy.

Conservative & Female… An Oxymoron In The Making?

Meanwhile, conservative women are left grabbing at straws to justify their beliefs. Well-versed in political issues or not, a conservative woman simply can’t explain her political sentiments to anyone. They won’t make sense.

The prevailing idea is that women should be Democrats. According to a Gallup poll, “women are more likely to be Democrats, regardless of age.” Forty-one percent of women identify as Democrats, compared to 32 percent of men. Twenty-five percent of women, meanwhile, identified as Republican in the Gallup poll. A March 2012 poll by the Pew Research Center may provide some clue as to why: Because women favor big government. Women favor more direct government action on behalf of the poor, children, and elderly; they want the government to regulate food and the environment, and according to another 2012 poll, about 50 percent of female voters are pro-choice.

Here’s the thing. Conservative females are pro-choice too, but in a different way. They believe that women should have the choice to hold whatever political views they desire, without comments from the peanut gallery. When conservative women share pro-life beliefs, they are called “unsupportive of women.” But isn’t it “unsupportive of women” to expect all women to hold a uniform set of political ideas?

Feminist Conservatives

Just because you’re a woman and a conservative, doesn’t mean you’re anti-feminist. In some ways, conservative women are actually more supportive of other women. They focus less on gender, because at the end of the day, they all want the same thing: a better and safer nation. They see a woman’s right to choose as the most important thing of all, because women have the right to choose to be conservative without judgment, to choose to bear arms, and to choose the car they want to drive. They retain those beliefs in spite of the vitriol from other women who say, “How could you?”

There’s an idea that conservatives are traditionalists. They have launched a war on women’s sexuality, and they fear empowering women, who supposedly belong in the home. Perhaps the Republican Party does need to do a better job appealing to women, and acknowledging the role of gender politics in the larger political process.

But people also need to re-think what it means to be a modern woman. What if being an empowered female means choosing not to criticize other women because of their political beliefs? What if empowering women isn’t just about abortion and the corporate glass ceiling? Maybe it’s also about helping them have the confidence to negotiate salary to close the wage gap, and reminding them that abortion is not the only option available to them.

In much the same way as people ponder how racial minorities can be conservative, so too do they express confusion over the anomalous female conservative. This level of ignorance only offsets the push for women’s rights. Instead of looking at labels, let’s look more at the issues that concern us as individuals. If women focused less on attacking one another’s levels of “feminism,” perhaps they could find more qualified liberal and conservative women to represent them at the state level, in Congress, and one day, in the White House.

The post What It Means To Be A Conservative Female Today appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Fox/New Girl

Weirdos are making a comeback.

Remember when everybody wanted to be cool and pretty, like characters in movies like “Clueless” and “Legally Blonde,” or shows like “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place?” Today, these kinds of films and shows don’t seem to have nearly as much screen time. Instead of attractive, popular, and generally “too cool for school” protagonists, our film and TV entertainment today highlights the school misfits, the ones who used to play second fiddle to the Cher Horowitz’s and Elle Wood’s of the world.

There’s Fat Amy in “Pitch Perfect,” who undeniably steals the film and has some of the best one-liners. There’s the entire cast of “Glee,” which, like “Pitch Perfect” and “Pitch Perfect 2,” embraces an entire team of “freaks and geeks” whose quirkiness comes across as charming and endearing. These are the kids we may have needlessly felt sorry for in high school and college (if we weren’t among them), but these days, there’s no need to feel pity. Because the kids (and adults) are all right; they have a lot of pride in themselves.

There’s something incredibly refreshing about the way film and television have taken on the conventional definition of “cool.” The protagonist of the popular Fox show “New Girl,” Jessica Day, wears big glasses, has bangs, and confesses in one episode, “I like being weird!” No character in the show “Modern Family” adheres to archetypes of having it together, being “normal,” or being poised, cool, and collected. Claire and Phil Dunphy are the kind of parents who, in one episode, come home, see their kids, and say, “Thank God no one’s dead.” Their daughter Alex is a nerd who’s proud of being smarter than her family; the kids’ uncles are a gay couple — Mitch a neurotic lawyer, and Cam a goofy and overly optimistic music teacher. Even the “cool” child, Hayley, may be pretty, but she’s also extremely vulnerable and normal. When her sister, Alex, says to her, “What kind of stuff do you have? Too many boys chasing after you? Too many parties?” Haley has a decidedly uncool response: “I’m flunking biology, and now I have to take summer school. And all my friends are talking about going to college, while I don’t think I’ll even be able to go to college. Is that enough stuff for you?”

In shows like “Modern Family,” “Glee,” and more, being cool and entertaining doesn’t mean being heterosexual, pretty, skinny, laid back, or successful. Our favorite characters come in all shapes, sizes, personality types, intelligence levels, and sexual orientations. And for once, they’re actually relatable because they don’t necessarily have their sh*t together.

What Does It Mean to Embrace “Uncool?”

This refreshing change in storytelling is exciting for a variety of reasons. It means young people may start to see that it’s okay to be the way they are. It’s okay to have glasses and braces, and think you’re attractive; it’s okay to be the kid who doesn’t like sports and would rather sing. You can have a great group of friends and be heavy set, the only minority in your school, or the kid in class who just can’t keep up with everyone else. High school doesn’t need to be awful because you’re different.

This kind of entertainment can also help the young people who are the perfect kids: the pretty ones who get good grades, are athletic, and seem to have lots of friends. Recent news has made it clear that even the ones who try to have it all together struggle tremendously. We’ve read stories about numerous high school and college students struggling with depression, resulting not only from being bullied, but also from being successful. For every girl who’s bullied, there’s also a Madison Holleran, who was pretty, popular, and by all accounts a high achiever.

Nevertheless, she battled depression and a desire to “have it all” that culminated in her suicide. Maybe more flawed protagonists and women who aren’t blonde bombshells with boyfriends and a Harvard degree will help young women and men embrace being flawed.

Seeing A Difference

We’re also seeing social media turn “uncool” into something cool again. Twitter accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers, like Common White Girl, embrace being quirky. Typical tweets from Common White Girl include a screenshot of a text message conversation where a guy writes, “Your friend’s gorgeous.” The header on this tweet reads, “Story of my life.” Another popular Twitter account, Sincerely Tumblr, recently posted a picture of a plethora of junk food and simply wrote, “Mood.” These kinds of relatable posts that embrace feeling rejected, down on yourself, or simply not that great, remind us that other people feel crummy too; we’re okay, we’re normal, and there’s humor to be found in our situations.

Other social media devices like Snapchat and Instagram also embrace being silly, awkward, or just plain different. Snapchat stories, let’s just speak frankly here, are usually weird and involve making funny drawings, singing in the car, dancing on your bed, or something else goofy and candid. Dubsmash has recently become popular, and has made it fun and popular to lip synch and look ridiculous. Instagram, in spite of its filters, has become a forum for seemingly “perfect” celebrities like Taylor Swift to post candid moments. Swift recently posted a video of herself getting burned during a cooking class, and notoriously posts photos of herself surrounded by cats, calling herself a “cat lady.”

It was never a bad thing to be uncool. But it seems like pop culture is finally starting to see it that way: Showing men and women of all ages something that we already know, but could always use a reminder of — everyone’s far from perfect. It’s normal to be baffled by your ability to keep your kids (or dogs, or even plants) alive; there’s nothing wrong with preferring pizza and Netflix to a sexy date night; and you can still have friends even if you wear thick glasses and get hit in the face every time you “play” basketball. So let your freak flag fly, everyone. It doesn’t make you weird anymore.

The post Embracing Awkward: Pop Culture Has Made It Cool To Be Uncool appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

Universal Pictures

I’m all for embracing your body. I don’t believe in diets, I think all foods are okay to eat, and I learned after years of body image issues that exercise doesn’t need to be an everyday, hour-long activity that makes your bones ache. So before you accuse me of shaming people who aren’t in great shape, let me tell you I’m the first to shut down anyone who criticizes someone else’s body. I’ll be on your case in two seconds flat for saying that girl in short shorts “shouldn’t be wearing that,” or that guy in a swimsuit looks “like a beached whale.”

But as a woman, I have to say, guys, “the dad bod” is not hot. Supposedly, women disagree with me. Apparently, it’s super sexy. They love that it makes guys seem “human, natural, and attractive,” the antithesis of an intimidating hot body.

I don’t know who those women are. Every twenty and thirty-something woman I’m friends with doesn’t understand the appeal of this type of body (even if our boyfriends/husbands have it, we’re not obsessed with it). It flies in the face of everything I find attractive about men.

The Coolness Of Looking Like You Don’t Care

My question is this: when did it stop being cool to look great? Since when, ladies, do you want to look at a guy and think, “He clearly eats pizza; looks like he only works out occasionally; that guy definitely drinks a lot of beer”? When I see someone for the first time, particularly a topless guy, I’d like my first thought to be, “Wow, he’s in great shape.” After all, your first impression of someone is the way they look (let’s just be honest here), and wouldn’t you want a first impression to be something, well, impressive?

I know it’s not realistic for everyone to be in great shape. But it’s great to look like you at least try. As I was watching a single friend swipe through Tinder the other day, I noticed that she swiped left on every guy who clearly had a “dad bod.” I asked her about it and she simply stated, “Why would I pick a guy with a gut when I have a choice?”

Fitness speaks volumes about a man. It points to numerous positive qualities. It tells you that a guy likes to care for himself; it says that he may want you to look great, but he’ll also look great for you; it says that he’s more likely to live a longer, healthier life. The fit guy at the gym is the guy who can play with your kids on the playground without getting tired, who has the energy to take your dogs to the park with you, who you can definitely go hiking with, ski with, and let’s be honest here, who can keep up with you in the bedroom.

So, Can Women Have Some Flab Too?

For individuals who do have the “dad bod,” more power to you. I’d say, great, if you’re happy and healthy, then the woman you’re with should be happy. And of course, there are more important things to worry about in life than your body.

Unfortunately, this Internet trend also points to what can only be defined as a double standard, as Time Magazine points out. The only praise that we’ve seen of women with clearly imperfect bodies, or “mom bods,” has been in response to the “dad bod” trend. Other than that, the only times we’ve seen women embraced for their flaws is in marketing campaigns by companies like Dove. I have yet to see a flood of articles about how hot it is when a woman looks like she eats a little too much chocolate with her red wine. I’ve heard men say that they like women who are a little heavier, but in my own experience, it’s been few and far between — and it certainly hasn’t become an Internet sensation.

While articles on the Internet have jumped on the “dad bod” sensation, praising hot male celebrities with beer guts, you’d be hard-pressed to find articles on hot female celebrities with stretch marks, cellulite, or protruding stomachs. Most seemingly “out of shape” women appear in magazines like US Weekly under headings that read, “12 Celebs Who Have Gained Weight” or, “The unflattering bikini shots celebrities wish you hadn’t seen.” Funny how women in bikinis are shamed in this latter piece for having the female equivalent of the “dad bod.”

Judged For Seeming Judgmental

I get it: we get married, and sometimes out of complacency, busy lives, or having kids, we stop working out and eating right. But extolling the virtues of men who look out of shape seems to be stretching it.

I’m sure men love hearing that women love the dad bod, but as a woman who knows lots of women, I just don’t know any who do. I lived with sixty-four girls in a sorority house for six months. Not one of us posted pictures in our bedrooms of guys with “dad bods.” On the plus side for the dudes, claiming that women like this look makes it easier for them to justify letting themselves go. It also reinforces a double standard for what “hotness” looks like.

The worst thing about the “dad bod” trend is that it makes women like me, who see nothing attractive about a “dad bod,” sound like we’re being “unfair,” or judgmental. Why can’t women say that they like the same thing a lot of men like — a super-hot and fit body — whether it comes across as superficial or not? I just don’t understand why it’s so great for a guy to look like he could stand to lose a couple of pounds.

If we’re talking looks exclusively, I like the complete opposite of the “dad bod.” I like a man who appears strong, like he cares about himself, and like he leads a fun and active life. That’s the only kind of body I find attractive. And you know what? There should be nothing wrong with saying that.

The post Who Are These Women Into The ‘Dad Bod?’ (And Where Are The Men Praising ‘Mom Bod?’) appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.

20th Century Fox

Well, it’s always fun to piss people off by pointing out things that are generally (but no, not always) true about a specific sector of the population. Some of you people are so goddamn sensitive, it’s hard not to try and push your buttons. But that’s not exactly what I’m doing here today.

These aren’t things about women that “need to change.” These fall more under the category of “why bother?” Now, a lot of the items on this list are the equivalent of “men like sports” or “men obsesses about their penises.” These things will continue to go on no matter how many douche bag internet columnists make lists about them. So, go nuts, ladies. Continue to do all, some, or none of the things on this list. Just know that men don’t care about any of them.

1. Shoes

We will never understand this obsession. Never. We stopped trying decades ago.

2. Nails

As long as they’re not all scraggly and don’t (inappropriately) scratch us during sex, we couldn’t care less about your mani/pedi.

3. Make-Up

You want to use a little to subtly enhance a thing or two, great. But the more time you spend in the mirror painting your face, the less real you look.

4. Celebrity Gossip

Please shut up. We don’t care. We. Don’t. Care.

5. What You Order For Dinner

There seems to be a misconception that men analyze what a woman orders at dinner and somehow uses that information in some sort of profiling strategy. We don’t. Go ahead and order the ribs.

6. Making The First Move

This is one aspect of male/female interaction in which feminism has made little progress, and the one men are rooting for the most. Come over and talk to us, text us first, ask us out. It won’t offend our egos.

7. A Few Extra Pounds

It really doesn’t matter if you’re tight from head to toe. We don’t need you to spend five hours in the gym every day, or even just look like you do. Most of us like our girls to be a little soft.

8. Gifts

We give them to you because we’ve been taught that’s how to show you we care. But outside of birthdays and holidays, you really don’t need to give us anything. We probably don’t want it.

9. Age

It’s infuriating how often women lie about their age. We could give a shit about five years plus or minus. Unless of course, you’re under 18. We do care about that. And if we don’t, we will when we get arrested.

10. Height

Most women like tall guys; we know that. But there’s no such thing as too short or too tall to us.

11. Past Boyfriends/Husbands/Hookups

I mean, look: You’re a beautiful woman. We know you’ve had some dicks in you. Just don’t feel the need to tell us about all of them in some sort of nervous confession. We don’t want to think about that.

12. Whatever They Think Is Wrong With Their Boobs

They’re fine. Trust me. They’re fine.

13. That Bitch At Work

Yeah, we’ll listen to you complain about that woman (sometimes a man, but usually a woman) you hate. But we’re pretty sure she’s not really out to destroy you.

14. How They Measure Up To “Her”

Whoever “she” is. We like you for who you are.

15. Social Status

I guess there are some guys who think about how they measure up against certain people, but women are sure as hell a lot more vocal about it.

16. Hand Bags

“Isn’t it cute?” If you say so. We have no idea.

17. Body Hair

A smooth leg is nice sometimes, and we know you spend a lot of time and effort getting other places just right, but we’ll take it or leave it.

18. Cellulite

It takes a real douche to get turned off by this. Just about every woman has some, and the only thing that bothers us is you complaining about it.

19. Eyebrows

Seriously. Pluck them if they’ve grown together, but overly-shaped eyebrows make you look like an alien or a clone or something.

20. Cleanliness

Yeah, most guys would live in filth if they could do that and still get laid. Thanks for making us pick up after ourselves, but do we really need the whole goddamn place smelling like lavender?

21. Organic Food

I don’t know. I eat pretty much whatever I want, and I get sick less than every woman I’ve ever dated. Stop coddling your digestive systems so much.

22. Jewelry

We only notice it if it’s something we gave you.

23. Facebook

We’re only there to meet girls. If we’ve got one, we don’t have that same need to post pictures and status updates.

24. Going To The “Right Place”

Again, we usually only go anywhere to meet girls. It doesn’t matter to us how hip and trendy a restaurant is. We’d be fine with Outback Steakhouse, but we know you wouldn’t be caught dead in a chain.

25. Having It All

Don’t be so fucking greedy. There’s nothing wrong with ambition, but if what it takes to make you happy is everything, you’re going to live a life filled with disappointment.

The post 25 Things Women Obsess Over That Men Don’t Give A Sh*t About At All appeared first on Wall Street Insanity.